Brendan Nicholls: Man accused of attack on Imam Ismet Purdic to plead guilty, court told

A man accused of a road rage attack on an Islamic religious leader will plead guilty to charges at a hearing next month, a Melbourne court has been told.

Brendan Nicholls, 23, was charged with assault and criminal damage in January after an alleged incident involving Imam Ismet Purdic and his wife, Sabina, in Dandenong South in the evening of January 10.

Police allege Mr Purdic, who leads the Bosnia-Herzegovina Islamic Society (BHIS) Noble Park Mosque, was driving on the South Gippsland Hwy when occupants of a black Volkswagen Golf began hurling abuse and driving erratically about 7.40pm.

“F**k off b***h, Muslim b***h,” the driver, alleged to be Mr Nicholls’ co-accused, allegedly yelled.

Police have laid charges after an Imam was attacked in Dandenong South.

Mr Purdic’s car was allegedly damaged and he was allegedly punched in the head after pulling into a service station before bystanders intervened.

Mr Nicholls, an employee of Bunnings, appeared in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday afternoon, as his lawyer Aabed Anaki said four criminal cases against his client had “resolved” following discussions with police.

Mr Anaki asked for the cases to be adjourned off for an hour-long plea hearing on May 1.

Magistrate Hugh Radford agreed, remanding Mr Nicholls into custody at the Western Plains Correctional Centre until that date.

“You’ll appear via video link on that date,” the magistrate said.

“Noting all these matters have now resulted to a plea.”

A second man charged over the alleged offending is due to appear in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on May 22.